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New Hampshire Cops Dress as Firefighters to Make Arrest
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A decision this week by Newport, New Hampshire police to use a fire truck and pose as firefighters to make an arrest of a suspected violent suspect is getting quite a lot of buzz around the country.
"Police officers dressed as firefighters and using a fire truck entered the building and activated the fire alarm to evacuate residents in a safe manner so as not to bring attention to the pending arrest of Miller," Newport Police Chief David Hoyt said in a news release included in the Union Leader story.
On Thursday, the union representing local firefighters responded with grave concern about the incident, saying firefighters and paramedics depend on the public trusting that when they show up, it's to save lives.
"The use of the firefighter and paramedic image in this way is inappropriate, should not be condoned and is not negotiable," David Lang, president of the Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire said during a press conference, according to the Union Leader.
A press release from the union posted on Statter911.com stated "Allowing police officers to impersonate fire fighters potentially makes the difficult job of fire fighters even more dangerous because it casts doubt in the publlic's mind of who's responding to a fire or medical emergency."
Long is asking the Commission of Safety and the state's Attorney General to demand that such actions never take place again.
The Union Leader reported that police officers saw the suspect in his apartment window with a small child in his arms as other building residents evacuated in the fake fire alarm. The suspect opened the door for the 'firefighters' (police) who then took him into custody without further incident. Numerous weapons and related materials were found in a subsequent search of the apartment.
Related
Post your thoughts on this incident.
A decision this week by Newport, New Hampshire police to use a fire truck and pose as firefighters to make an arrest of a suspected violent suspect is getting quite a lot of buzz around the country.
"Police officers dressed as firefighters and using a fire truck entered the building and activated the fire alarm to evacuate residents in a safe manner so as not to bring attention to the pending arrest of Miller," Newport Police Chief David Hoyt said in a news release included in the Union Leader story.
On Thursday, the union representing local firefighters responded with grave concern about the incident, saying firefighters and paramedics depend on the public trusting that when they show up, it's to save lives.
"The use of the firefighter and paramedic image in this way is inappropriate, should not be condoned and is not negotiable," David Lang, president of the Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire said during a press conference, according to the Union Leader.
A press release from the union posted on Statter911.com stated "Allowing police officers to impersonate fire fighters potentially makes the difficult job of fire fighters even more dangerous because it casts doubt in the publlic's mind of who's responding to a fire or medical emergency."
Long is asking the Commission of Safety and the state's Attorney General to demand that such actions never take place again.
The Union Leader reported that police officers saw the suspect in his apartment window with a small child in his arms as other building residents evacuated in the fake fire alarm. The suspect opened the door for the 'firefighters' (police) who then took him into custody without further incident. Numerous weapons and related materials were found in a subsequent search of the apartment.
Related
- Union Leader: Firefighters hot over police ploy
- Union Leader: Police use firefighter fake out to arrest man
- STATter911.com: Union Press Release (PDF)
- WMUR: Fire Officials Criticize Police For Impersonating Firefighters (w/Video)
- WCAX: Firefighters "Hot" About Disguised Officers
Post your thoughts on this incident.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ironhorse on
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What the hell are they thinking! Number one if one of us went out dressed up as a cop and pulled somebody over for speeding we'd get arrested for impersonating an officer. Number two, thats just wrong, by violating the trust the general public has in us the cops have put every brother and sisters life on the line. Now some goon all screwed up on crack or meth or what ever is liable to start taking pot shots at the next truck running through his neighborhood because in his mind the fuzz is after him. That's just great one more thing for me to have to think about on the way to a call.
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Permalink Reply by Muriel on
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What would have happened if there had been another real fire and the truck and uniforms are on the police....were the firemen to dress up as cops and take the squad car?
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Permalink Reply by Stephen J Heavey on
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I agree that this makes our hard job that much harder, anyone with an outstanding warrent in a hotel/motel/building where the alarm sounds will now view us as the enemy when we are't even there in a law enforcment capacity. I respect that the PD has a job to do but so do we.
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Permalink Reply by Christian on
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Don't underestimate the "creepies." I work in a jail and they always resd the paper, especially the police blotters and the local sections. They use it to kee track of friends and family (seroiusly). So they will read it. And there memories are a lot longer then you think, especially when it comes to the police. Glad the child got out and I hope this is a one time thing. But remember something that works so well is usually tried again.
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Actually he brings up a good point. So the cops had a bad idea, but the chief let them do it.
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Permalink Reply by emodfd on
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Just one more ,you have got to be kidding. The cops could not have come up a better plan than this? I work ina big city FD and our medics and firefighters already walk that fine line in some areas where authority and a uniform are not seen as a positive thing. BONE HEADED MOVE!! Maybe they should dress up as nuns or priests next time or better yet Ed Mcmahon and a big cardboard check.HA HA
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Permalink Reply by Medicine Man on
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this just shows the ignorance of the chief . Have him suspended by the city councel for knowing putting the lives of firefighters in danger! Any chief that would ok this has lost touch with his firefighters and I would guess he is not well liked by them.
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Permalink Reply by Colleen Walz on
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Jeremy,
You are wrong. Let me tell you why, yes the child was safe and although the intention was to complete an arrest without anyone getting hurt, this will not go away as easily as you suggest. We don't wear bullet proof vests when we arrive on fire calls, nor do we carry guns to defend ourselves if violence breaks out after we arrive. This has set in motion a very dangerous practice and cannot be condoned!
We are trusted by the public because we are not seen as having any punitive result to the general public good, bad or indifferent that is predominantly how firefighters are viewed "there to help" not arrest people or their family members. You have no idea some of the neighborhoods firefighters respond to all over this country, the high crime and violence areas.
This action has threatened that trust. Therefore it does put firefighters in jeopardy.
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Permalink Reply by Oldman on
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I foresee this case being bounced on appeal if it goes to trial at all. Yes, LE has a job to do. Yes, they sometimes have to work under cover. Does this give the right to break the law to make an arrest?
Naturally I will not begin to quote the laws in NH, however I am sure they have laws about impersonation and making false alarms.
In Texas, the Penal Code classifies it as Impersonation of a Public Servant;
"A person commits an offense if he: impersonates a public servant with intent to induce another to submit to his pretended official authority or to rely on his pretended official acts".This law applies even if a person dresses up like a meter maid. It is a 3rd degree Felony good for 2 - 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
There is also a statute False Alarm or Report; "A person commits an offense if he knowingly initiates, communicates or circulates a report of a present, past, or future bombing, fire, offense, or other emergency that he knows is false or baseless and that would ordinarily:
(2) place a person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury; or (3) prevent or interrupt the occupation of a building, room, place of assembly, place to which the public has access, or aircraft, automobile, or other mode of conveyance". Causing the evacuation of the building by setting off the fire alarm would do both. It is a Class A misdemeanor, which would still cause them to loose their jobs as officers. I haven't researched it but there is probably an applicable statute for conspiracy and aiding in the commission as well.
My Mama used to tell me; "Two wrongs don't make a right", and it appears to me that is what they are attempting to do.
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Permalink Reply by brianna on
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Okay, so now us firefighters will be shot at.
..THANK YOU NEW HAMPSHIRE PD
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Permalink Reply by jesse wright on
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i'm sure i'm not alone in this but some cheif let the police "borrow" their truck. would any of you guys be at the station house and take the fire truck to Mc'Donalds drive thru??? WTF why was the cheif of the police and the cheif of the fire dept not repremanded for illegal use af apparatus??? just wonderin!!!!
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Permalink Reply by Jeremy Talbott on
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I work as a deputy Sheriff , i also am in the Fire Dept., Run with EMS and worked in a jail.
as long as it does not become common place a law enforcement ruse is legal. Everyone went home.
Sounds like the FD and the PD in that area work well togeather and were ok with it.
But hey everyone needs an issue so why not circle the wagons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! da police!
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